CAMARILLO, CA – (January 14, 2019) – The Emergency Department (ED) at St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH) is the first in Ventura County and one of only five in the state of California to achieve Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) by the American College of Emergency Physicians. This accreditation is part of a nationwide effort to improve and standardize emergency care for elderly patients.

“Older adults visit emergency departments at a higher rate and often have unique needs that have to be considered when providing emergency care,” said Stacy Hutchison, RN, Director of the Emergency Department at St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital. “Thanks to the dedication of our team, seniors who visit our accredited Emergency Department can be assured that we have the expertise and staff in order to provide the best care.”

GEDA accreditation is intended to ensure that emergency departments meet the highest level of care available in treating the needs of an aging population. It focuses on six key areas, including: staff training, geriatric-appropriate protocols, quality improvement and strong programs to ensure patients are connected to local care needs in the community following discharge.

“This accreditation demonstrates to our community that our hospital is focused on the highest standards of care,” said Darren Lee, President and CEO of St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John’s Regional Medical Center. “We are proud to be the first Emergency Department in Ventura County with this accreditation.”

The 14-bed ED at SJPVH sees an average of 24,000 cases a year. The ED recently expanded to accommodate three new rapid care rooms and a triage bay for patients with less severe emergencies.
The ED is a designated Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission for its excellent and timely care in treating stroke patients.

As a certified Primary Stroke Center the ED maintains an acute stroke team, offers neuroimaging services, and meets other criteria set forth by the Joint Commission. Services in the ED also include CT Scans, X-rays, ultrasound, and other diagnostic imaging services around the clock.

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About St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital
St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo is a recipient of the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence and rated among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for stroke and pulmonary care by Healthgrades. St. John’s Pleasant Valley is a member of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services - all recognized for quality, safety and service. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.